Fairbank, IA - Island Park

Island Park is a part of the original 43.51 acres which Albert Clark acquired from the government in 1852. Everett and Bacon bought the land in 1854, and thereafter changed hands many times, continuing to be recorded as Mill property until the early 1900s. At the turn of the century, the first pontoon bridge was built, giving access by foot to the island for baptismal ceremonies, picnics and church activities. Eventually the pontoon bridge washed out. In the early 1930s, Charles Grantham designed and built a hanging foot bridge, and for a number of years promoted boxing matches on the island. On May 16, 1938, the owner deeded the island and surrounded land to the American Legion, who in turn, deeded it to the town of Fairbank to be used as a park. That year, a TERA project was entered into with the state of Iowa for enlargement of the Island Park by taking the soil from the river on the south side of the island. The Weldon Brothers repaired the concrete dam in 1940, and installed the most recent walking bridge in 1941.